experimental studies of the anti-inflammatory and gastric effects of ribavirin in rats

In the present study we examined effects of the broad-spectrum antiviral agent ribavirin on inflammation and gastric integrity in rats. Ribavirin 30120 mg/kg. i.p., administered 30 min beforehand, had no significant effect on carrageenan induced oedema, meanwhile a higher dose of 240 mg/kg significantly inhibited the formalin-induced paw oedema for 2 h. Injection of ribavirin in rats treated with indomethacin, rofecoxib or meloxican caused a further decrease in paw volume of carrageenan injected rats by 21.7, 23.6 and 71.2% at 4 h., respectively. It is suggested that ribavirin administered via systemic route possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Ribavirin 30-120 mg/kg, s.c, reduced the number and severity of gastric lesions caused by indomethacin [20 mg/kg, i.p.] in a dose-dependent manner. In urethane-anaesthetised rats, the drug inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by distention or distension plus histamine stimulation. The drug increases the anti-inflammatory action of NSAIDs, while reducing their gastric side effects